Pours a clear red with a foamy reddish-white head that settles to a partial film on top of the beer. Small streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, raspberries, and raspberry juice aromas. Taste is much the same with lots of raspberry flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of seed-like earthy bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer with a solid raspberry presence but nothing too memorable for a fruit beer in my opinion. (651 characters)

A: The beer is slightly hazy reddish amber in color and has a light amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a quarter finger high light pink colored head that quickly died down, leaving patches of bubbles in the center of the glass and a thin collar around the edge.S: Light to moderate aromas of raspberry sorbet are present in the nose.T: This beer is filled with flavors of raspberries, but these aren't really of the sweet variety and the taste is more like a raspberry sorbet.M: It feels light-bodied (but not watery) and a little tart on the palate with a moderate amount O: This beer achieves an excellent balance between sweetness and tartness as neither of them stand out in particular. As this tastes like a sorbet, I could almost see this beer being used as a palate cleanser between courses during a beer dinner. (834 characters)

a real raspberry heavy brew, nice and fruity, and a little sweeter than it needs to be, but the authenticity of the fruit makes up for it. none of those artificial or candy fruit flavors, its straight berry here, both tart and sweet, on the cusp of ripeness, and really well added to the beer. pinkish red in color, rather clear, and not really collecting much head. the nose is heavy on the fruit, almost like one of those all fruit popsicles tastes, its that vibrant. the base beer seems nondescript here, although one sip shows me a whole lot of body, maybe more than necessary for what i assume to be an attempt at a light drinking fruit beer. the raspberry flavor is strongly sweet on the front end, with a little more tartness on the back end. gorgeous real fruit flavor, juice and ripe. there ends up being more residual sugar than i like, and with the sagging carbonation, it really makes the beer more weighty than it should be. it would be tough to drink more than one or two of these, as good as the flavor is overall. more bubbles would solve most of this i think. overall another clever and tasty founders beer, they really never miss. i think I've been drinking so many fruited sours that my palate is surprised by a normally fermented fruit beer. need to get back into it.

edit: revisiting this makes me realize how good it is. dryer than i gave it credit fore before, and really authentic on the fruit front. maybe freshness has a lot to do with the differences, but i am bumping up a few scores to reflect how much i am digging this one right now. very solid offering. (1,586 characters)

With summer in full swing, no other brewer takes better advantage of what the season gives us. Founders sets Cerise aside for a moment and returns to a revamped Rubaeus. One taste celebrates everything about what's great with raspberries.

Its mauve and ruby pour lets the fruity secrets out of the bag- it simply looks like fruit juice, except for the light creamy-white froth that rises to cap the beer. Hazy in its appearance, the beer shows off its unfiltered and unadulterated translucency.

Incredible raspberry aromas leap from the glass and fill the olfactory senses with mouthwatering fruit sweetness and a pleasantly tart and acidic scent. The slimmest note of wheat sits in the shadows and hardly brings attention. Similarly, the taste is dedicated and squarely focused on the glorious raspberry fruit. Bright, zesty, ripe, sweet and with a hint of tangy cherry and concord grape- its not too hard to read a mild red wine taste. Its sweet and tart upstart remains consistent until deep into finish.

And on the palate, its sweet and tart balance is moderately sugary and playfully acidic- again, it begins with the initial taste and extends well into aftertaste with little variance. A tinge of hops and alcohol warmth are noticeable in finish, but the beer remains sweet and fruity throughout.

Reminding me of a lighter bodied Blushing Monk, the beer is all about the raspberry. I would like to see a bit drier and "beery" character to show me that this is a serious ale and not wine cooler or soda pop. But hey, chicks should dig it! (1,547 characters)

Poured out as a very nice looking red color with a soft pinkish purple head on top. The retention and lacing were pretty good on this. The smell of the beer is fruity, plenty of sweet fresh raspberry on the nose. The taste of the beer is also packed with raspberry flavors with a subtle wheat malt finish. The mouthfeel is medium to full bodied, a little syrupy with a gentle carbonation. Overall this beer is pretty tasty, I enjoy it but I wouldn't wanna drink a lot of it in one session. (489 characters)

Bottle: Poured a dark pink color ale with a nice bubbly pink head with average retention. Aroma of pure raspberry is of pure enjoyment (I was a bit scare at first that this would be another chemically induced fruit beer). Taste is refreshing and raspberry totally dominate by bringing a balance between sweetness and tart. Alcohol is well hidden. Very well done for a style that comport to many misses. (402 characters)

Ripe raspberry red with rose colored trim and hyperkinetic carbonation. The loud pffft! upon opening led me to pour slowly. I'm glad I did. The glass filled instantly with pink foam that's still a space hog several minutes later. The beer and head combination looks a little frou-frou, but given the ingredients, I suppose that can't be helped. Good cap persistence with several large splotches of chunky lace.

Rubaeus has a wonderful nose of crushed fresh raspberries, yet is still easily recognizable as beer. Thankfully, it doesn't smell like one of those sweet, syrupy fruit beers (although I don't mind them in small doses). There's an undercurrent of earthy hoppiness that gives an added dimension and a certain seriousness.

This is one complex fruit beer, at least more so than most of its peers. The dominant flavor of juicy, sun-ripened raspberries isn't complex, it's just damn good and is as reminiscent of the actual fruit as any fruit beer that I've ever had. The thing that makes each mouthful a treat is the interplay among sweet, sour and bitter.

Like most beer that possess all of those qualities, it starts out favoring sweet. At the midway point, sour comes on with a rush, only to be nearly overtaken by bitter on the back end. Sweet never goes away, however, and is still (barely) noticeable on the finish. It's quite the interesting whirlwind of ever changing flavor sensations.

The mouthfeel is light-medium and isn't nearly as carbonated as the appearance would suggest. I take back what I said above. The final version of the kaleidoscopic flavor profile is devoid of sugar. It's an amazingly dry, puckery finish that would be better if it contained the slightest bit of countering sweetness. The 6.9% ABV, which seems high for a summer fruit beer, is nowhere to be found on the palate.

Rubaeus is another quality offering from a brewery that makes a habit of brewing quality offerings. It's an excellent fruit beer that would be even better if it contained a tad more sweetness. Other brewers take note: this is how it's done. (2,057 characters)

Dark red overlayed against a brown body. A flurry of foam settles to a compact head. Some visible carbonation under the surface. Clean, fresh raspberry aroma that definitely comes across as authentic. It's fairly light, and the malt underneath is tangible.

Berry flavor comes through in a fairly understated way, a touch sweet, not all that tart. Malt flavors are a little bready, giving this a suprisingly full body for what might be expected for a "fruit beer". There's some slickness on the palate, and a touch of bitterness after the swallow. It's thirst quenching due to the fruit element. The full body would limit me to one or two, although it's not overbearing, just a little filling. (743 characters)

Now this was a rather unique looking beer to be honest. When I originally got it I really did not know what to think of it, so the best way to find out is just go ahead and try it, which is exactly what I planned on doing. Poured a very light bright red, almost a pink with very little in the way of a head on top and just the slightest touch of side glass lace. The carbonation coming through was very full and left for chains of bubbles streaming up through the bottom. The aroma was very light and sweet, not really deep raspberries like you see in some others, like Raspberry Tart for example, but a light sugary raspberry, akin to a wine cooler. The taste was very light and crisp with a refreshing nature to the feel. Ample carbonation kept it lively throughout and a decent fruity aftertaste followed. Overall this was pretty decent, nothing spectacular, but still pretty decent. It was a nice novelty one off selection, though I dont think I would go this way again. I am starting to like the fruit beers; I just like them a little heavier then this one. (1,064 characters)

I passes on this beer a few times when home last year but this year I grabbed a couple up and actually I am glad I did.A nice deep red pour with a tight thinner but well formed pink head leaving spotty lace around the pint glass,tart "real" raspberry aromas along with an underlying toastiness, very appetizing.The use of all natural fruit makes this beer its sweet and tart and very juicy,what can you say its just damn good.Iam the first to say I shy away from these beers but this is a gem of a fruit beer no doubt. (518 characters)

The pour is amber in color with a finger of white head. A very sweet fruit aroma to this, as expected. Lots of raspberry with maybe a touch of cherry to it as well. Not much else going on. The flavor is sweet with notes of sugar and raspberry. Maybe just a little bit of lemon in there, too. (291 characters)

Considering how long Cerise malingered the past few years, how can this one be put behind the counter? Whatever, this stuff pours a clear ruby topped by a finger of bone foam. The nose is a simple wave of slightly-dank, fresh raspberries. The taste echoes this simple sentiment, the berries coming through a bit on the sweet side, but not so much as to trigger a diabetic reaction or anything. Moreover, things taste pretty damn natural, not very medicinal or artificial. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a slightly syrupy feel. Overall, a very tasty and highly enjoyable fruit beer. No wonder this one is behind the counter... (682 characters)

Founders Rubaeus is a basic raspberry ale but without any extract flavor and not too much wheatiness. It pours the typical very hazy golden body beneath a short-lived head of dark white froth that quickly subsides to an average collar. The nose is fruity and malty, and malty and fruity... with a decidedly raspberry-tinged character - but it's not slap you in the face, it's much softer than that. The flavor follows suit, and it's malt and fruit up-front, with the most dominant sweet-fruitiness at that point. The malt then steps in and mellows it. A tinge of tarness passes quickly, and then it becomes sweetly malty across the middle and into the finish as it warms in the mouth. Surprisingly, it's not sticky in the finish at all. The balance is very good, keeping the bitterness well heeled, and letting the natural tart sweet fruitness of the raspberry ride and bob across the surface of the slightly honeyish malt base. I'd personally prefer a beer that had a little more of an edge to it, but I can't fault it as it's very nicely balanced for what it is. Worth trying? If you like the style, absolutely. (1,113 characters)

Pours a hazy deep rose color with 1/2 finger of fizzy brite-white head. This peters down pretty quickly but then retains around the edges (with thin wisps across the center) and flares up very nicely when swirled, leaving a huge cascade of lace down the sides of the glass. The aroma is lush with fresh raspberry character as well as some addittional underlying sweetness and floral hops in the back.

The taste is once again a big, fresh, raspberry presence along with another level of backing sweetness, like maybe caramel malts. A solid tingle of hops runs through the backbone of the beer and kicks things up a bit, providing some needed bitterness. Finishes a bit sticky on the lips. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with a lively carbonation and easy feel. Very drinkable even though there is a touch of alcohol beef to it, comparable to what you would find in a well balanced 7% IPA or something similar.

This was a very well crafted Fruit Beer that mixes fresh raspberry character with a great drinkibility that belies it's higher ABV. I'm sad to hear that this will be going on a hiatus. Drink up while you can! (1,150 characters)

A: The beer is a coppery brown color, with a short pinkish-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thin lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains strong raspberries, light caramelized malts and not much else.

T: The taste likewise starts out with a strong raspberry flavor. The malt character is thin and the hops presence is very mild as you would expect. This one is all raspberries. The after-taste is sweet.

I'm a huge fan of Founders, and I even have their t-shirt on thanks to kkipple. I bought this beer though.

A: Light fluffy head that fades quickly like a good sour bottle conditioned beer. Dark and bright rosy reddish pink and hazy color.

N: Nose is raspberry! Some sweet syrup aromas, and the slightest crisp ale aromas, but almost like a raspberry juicy aroma.

T: Starts with a slightly sweet syrup and tons of raspberry. It's got a thick syrup but not too much with sweetness. Again the slightest crisp ale flavor. The raspberry just takes over everything. A slight bitterness. Not much for sour, wild, funky, anything that would give this a beer like taste, or a lambic like beer, instead its just lots of fruit juice.

M: Slight thickness and lots of carbonation.

F: Slightly bitter, and dries off a bit, but mostly still the raspberry juice. This is not a beer, its a fermented raspberry juice. This might be great for some people, especially a feminine beer, but the complete lack of any real beer qualities makes this not reach anywhere near my top beers. I wish I only got 1 instead of a 4 pack. (1,109 characters)

T - A very juicy Raz w/ subtle grain flavor and textures that are wrapped up in the sweetness and mildly dry taste w/ nicely accented fruit. The effervescence is pleasant and complements the deeply intense juicy raspberry taste well.

D - So easy to drink like a Dole juice pop twisted into beer. Very fruit forward raspberry ale. One of the best fruit flavored beers I have had. The berry taste is natural and not overdone, very tasteful and all-around drinkable. (787 characters)

Pours like carbonated Kool-Aid. Foggy red, and absolutely no head. Weird. Nose is raspberry toned for sure and not much else. Flavor is overpowering raspberries. In your face, in your mouth, and up in everything else it can get into. Very tangy and distinct. Feel has a lot of carbonation and a decent liquid feel, but it leaves a real sticky feel in the mouth that seems odd. This is a decently well made beer that goes way overboard with the raspberries. It is just too much and creates a one dimensional experience. (518 characters)

Poured a ruby-mahogany color with a small ringlet for a head; minimal lacing. In the nose, raspberries and lots of 'em, lesser notes of vanilla and caramel malts. Taste was pretty much straight-up raspberry juice, real, not candy-like or artificial-tasting--can't imagine how much raspberry actually went into the brew--sweet and syrupy, not sour, though there was a bit of a tart twinge in the finish; also notes of grass and malted cereal grains. Medium body, syrupy mouthfeel, lower carbonation, easy-drinkin' stuff, if you're into fruit beers. Obviously, this beer isn't going to be for everyone, but it delivered what was promised at least. (694 characters)

Appears a clouded yeast ridden suspension tone pink tinged with a large foamy pink head. Looks a bit like Raspberry Jame in color. Thin lace sticks sporadically around my pint glass. Aroma has strong raspberry puree' not overly candy, but it has a nice earthy mix that goes really well tegether, even a bit of raspberry seed. Flavors toss in tart raspberry slurry touch of alcohol presence with realy natural semi swee fruit juice notes, again it's hard to deny the earthy raspberry seed coming through. Mouthfeel is medium bodied crisply carbonated with an assertive sparking raspberry wine dryness left behind on the palate, not syrupy or overly sweet at any time, a killer fruit ale. Drinkability is solid all around strudy alcohol stands up to the earthy fruit sweetness a surprisingly pleasant experience in my glass. (822 characters)

Bottled 07/20/13. 12 fl oz brown glass bottle with nice label art and a branded pry-off cap acquired earlier tonight at me local HEB grocery and served into an Independence Brewing pilsner glass in me gaff in low altitude Austin, Texas. Reviewed live. Expectations are quite high given the brewery - which makes some beers I love. 5.7% ABV confirmed.

Served cold - straight from me fridge. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

A: No bubble show forms as I pour.

Pours a one finger wide head of dull pink-grey colour. Okay thickness and creaminess; it's a bit wanting in fairness. Little lacing clings to the sides of the glass as the head recedes. Head retention is below average - about 1.5-2 minutes at best.

Body colour is a clear translucent amber red of above average vibrance; it's got a nice rich glow to it. No yeast particles are visible.

Overall, it looks a bit darker than I expected - but good overall for a fruit beer.

Sm: Raspberry fruit extract/syrup. Mild floral hop character. Pilsner malts. Clean barley. Sugary raspberries. Cane sugar. Luckily, it's got a good berry aroma but never ventures into cough syrup territory. It's definitely on the sweeter side, though, and I'm a bit concerned that it might come off too syrupy like so many beers in the style. Although I do get some tartness - and even a kiss of sourness - off the back end. That tartness surfaces more and more as it warms, reassuring me. I'm excited to try it.

A pleasant fruity aroma of moderate strength.

No alcohol or yeast character is detectable.

T/Mf: Plenty of raspberry - both natural raspberry notes and your usual fruit extract/fruit syrup notes. It does land on the sweet end (undoubtedly), but there's a nice tartness throughout which lends it needed depth and diversity of flavour. Pilsner malts give it an unobtrusive clean foundation. Ripe. It's got a good balance to it even if it is kind of one dimensional. It satisfies its aims; it's a tasty fruit beer. But this doesn't have a whole lot of complexity or subtlety. One could point to Delirium Red as a superior approach to this kind of beer.

Average depth and intensity of flavour. Above average duration of flavour for the style.

No yeast character or alcohol comes through.

It's got a crisp clean presence on the palate, and is adequately carbonated - though not perfectly. Chewy and sticky. Nice body. The mouthfeel suits the flavour profile generally well, but I don't know that it seems the brewers custom-tailored the texture to the taste. More acidity would really help it.

Not oily, biting, gushed, or hot. It flirts a bit too much with a syrupy character to quite be refreshing, even in 100 degree weather here in Texas.

Dr: I hoped for better given the brewery, but this isn't a bad beer by any means, and I'll enjoy finishing the four pack. An excellent beer for luring women and/or cider lovers into craft beer if they're not already fans. Hides its ABV nicely. It's a flavourful little fruit beer that has its place. It certainly won't be a fridge mainstay for me, but I can easily see myself buying it again in a certain mood.

That said, it's easy to read this as a cider/wine cooler/alcopop. There are better approaches to the style, and the price point isn't great.

Very berry aroma. It's raspberry but slightly artificial. There's also a metallic smell behind the sweetness.

More sweet than tart, but all raspberry. One dimensional--you could call this a raspberry beer cooler. Needs cheese or something spicy to cut the soda aspects of this. The body is an improvement to the taste but typical.

From 07/18/13 notes. Picked up a bottle of this in Narberth, PA at whatever the name of that new bottle shop by the train station is. 12 oz. bottle poured int a snifter.

a - Pours a deep, pink-purple color with one inch of bright white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells a bit metallic, and of very sweet raspberries, raspberry juice, fruity malts, lightly sour dark fruits, and some spice. Very sweet, metallic nose downgrades it to me. Kind of reminds me of that metallic nose and taste you get in something like Sam Adams Cheery Wheat.

t - Taste is much better than the nose. Tastes of sweet raspberry juice, sweet raspberries and dark fruit malts, sugar, spice, and bread. Taste is good but very sweet, keeping it from being great. Like raspberry juice.

o - Overall a decent beer, with a good taste, but the nose is a miss for me. Super sweet so won't be for everyone, but if you like swete fruity beers, you'll probably like this one. I'd suggest trying to get some New Glarus Raspberry Tart instead, but worth checking out. (1,157 characters)